Since 2019, the Equality Lounge (known as the FQ Lounge until March 2026) has been a dedicated space for equality work and support services at the HPI. The Equality Lounge is based on the mandate of the decentralised equality officers of the Faculty of Digital Engineering (DEF) and is enshrined in the DEF and HPI’s Equality and Diversity Plan 2024–2030.

The Equality Lounge places a clear focus on gender equality and support for FLINTA* individuals. Our approach to equality is intersectional. We recognise that gender-based discrimination rarely occurs in isolation, but rather in conjunction with other forms of discrimination. We therefore address all forms of marginalisation and discrimination.

The Lounge was established to give women in computer science greater visibility and to empower them. Today, it serves as a central hub and safe space where HPI members can learn about equality issues and related work, exchange ideas, receive support and connect with one another. We see the Lounge not merely as a physical space, but as a concept: a platform for raising awareness, fostering critical discussion and taking concrete steps towards a more equitable HPI.

The lounge is open to all HPI members: students, researchers, lecturers and staff. Allies are very welcome. We assume that you are here to seek support, to learn, and to work towards our shared goal of equality and inclusion with good intentions.

By the way, for anyone who experiences menstrual bleeding, we will be keeping a stock of sanitary products such as pads and tampons there, which can be collected free of charge in an emergency.

If you have experienced discrimination at the university, you can report it in our Incidence Response System safecampus. This system allows students and staff to share incidents of discrimination, harassment or violence on our campus - anonymously if they wish - to help create a safer and more inclusive environment. We want you all to feel comfortable here. If you still experience or witness something uncool: Talk to us! We are here for you.

No. The promotion of women is implemented as follows at Brandenburg universities:

Section 7(1) of the Brandenburg Higher Education Act states that '[t]he higher education institutions shall [promote] the actual equality of women and men and [...] shall [work] towards the elimination of existing disadvantages and towards the actual compatibility of work, study and family life'.
The promotion of women does not mean that incompetent women are preferred to qualified men when filling vacancies:

"In the case of recruitment [...], efforts should be made to increase the proportion of women and the situation of persons with special family burdens should be taken into account. As long as there is under-representation of women in the relevant pay or salary bracket or in positions with supervision and management duties, [...] female applicants must

1. in principle, be invited to a personal interview if they have the qualifications required for the post (if the number of female applicants is too large, at least as many women as men should be invited to a personal interview), and
2. in the case of equivalent suitability, aptitude and professional performance, be given preferential consideration unless reasons attributable to the person of a competing candidate predominate" (Section 7 (4) BbgHG).

We support the University and all its committees and members in implementing the equality objectives set out in the University's mission statement and Gender Equality Concept.

We accompany and advise appointment commitees during the recruitment of new professors, advise all university members on issues such as equality, equal treatment, sexual discrimination and violence and the compatibility of work and family life, and organize networking events, exchanges and continuing education. We are in regular contact with the university's other equal opportunities officers and advise the Senate in the Commission for Equal Opportunities. According to Section 68 (9), equal opportunities commissioners are not bound by instructions and are under duty of secrecy.

Current since 2024

01.10.2024 - 30.09.2026

• Charlotte Weiss
• Florence Böttger (Deputy)
• Oliwia Gust (Deputy)

2023

01.10.2023 - 30.09.2024

• none

2022

01.10.2022 - 30.09.2023

• Lisa Baumann

2021

Oct. 1, 2021 – Sept. 30, 2022

• Lisa Baumann
• Lisa Ihde (deputy)
• Lisa Koeritz (deputy)

2020

Oct. 1, 2020 – Sept. 30, 2021

• Lisa Ihde
• Nina Schwarz (deputy)

2018

Oct. 1, 2018 – Sept. 30, 2020

• Lea Gerneth (until January 2020 due to resignation)
• Lisa Ihde
• Nele Sina Noack (deputy)

2017

Apr. 24, 2017 – Sept. 30, 2018

• Lisa Ihde
• Carolin Fiedler (1st deputy)
• Juliane Waack (2nd deputy)

Founding Committee

Mar. 1, 2017 – Apr. 23, 2017

• Lea Gerneth
• Carolin Fiedler (deputy)